Tim Tebow To Be Inducted into University of Florida Football’s Ring of Honor

Two-time national champion and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner

Two-time national champion and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will be inducted into the University of Florida Football’s Ring of Honor, the school announced Wednesday. (UF image)

(FloridaGators.com) – Two-time national champion and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will be inducted into the University of Florida Football’s Ring of Honor, the school announced Wednesday.

Tebow, who’s perhaps the most decorated athlete in college football history, will be honored during the Florida-LSU game on Oct. 6. His name will be unveiled and displayed in the North End Zone of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The display, which will be approximately 18-feet wide and five-feet high, will now feature Tebow, along with Wilber Marshall, Emmitt Smith, Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Jack Youngblood. Marshall was the most recent inductee (Sept. 29, 2007), while the other four members were part of the original unveiling back on Sept. 30, 2006 as part of the 100-year Celebration of Gator Football.

“I am so humbled and thankful to be able to receive this blessing, being inducted into the Ring of Honor,” Tebow said. “I know in my heart that I truly couldn’t have done it without amazing coaches and teammates who loved and sacrificed for each other so that we could accomplish our goals.

“Loving Florida wasn’t just something I did for four years, but it has been a lifelong passion. I want to thank the University of Florida and all the fans for making Gator Nation so special. I was born a Gator, I played as a Gator, and I’ll always be a Gator!“God Bless and Go Gators!”

TIM TEBOW: “Loving Florida wasn’t just something I did for four years, but it has been a lifelong passion. I want to thank the University of Florida and all the fans for making Gator Nation so special. I was born a Gator, I played as a Gator, and I’ll always be a Gator.” (UF image)

Tebow’s Collegiate Resume:

First sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, the Sullivan Award, the Davey O’Brien Award and the Maxwell Award (2007)

First sophomore in UF history to be named an All-American (2007)

First UF quarterback to be named an All-American since Rex Grossman in 2001

First UF player to be named a first-team Academic All-American selection (2007) in over a decade

Second player to repeat as Maxwell Award winner in 2007 and 2008

First scholar-athlete to be named the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America of the Year for University Division Football in two consecutive years

20th Anniversary William V. Campbell Trophy winner (2009)

Three-time Heisman Trophy finalist

Two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2007 & 2009)

Posted a 35-6 career record at Florida and posted an SEC-record 170.8 career pass efficiency rating

Finished his college career with five NCAA, 14 SEC and 28 UF records

First player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a season

Fourth Florida quarterback ever taken in the first round when the Denver Broncos selected him with the 25th choice in the 2010 draft

Tim Tebow, who’s perhaps the most decorated athlete in college football history, will be honored during the Florida-LSU game on Oct. 6. His name will be unveiled and displayed in the North End Zone of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (UF image)

Tebow would go on to play three years in the NFL, compiling an 8-6 record as a starter for the Denver Broncos in 2011, highlighted by a 29-23 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers a January 2012 AFC wild-card game. He currently plays professional baseball in the New York Mets organization, as well as an analyst for the SEC Network.

Tebow is also well-known for his philanthropic efforts. As a student at Florida, he founded “First and 15,” an organization that raised funds for an orphanage in the Philippines. He launched the Tim Tebow Foundation in January 2010, with the stated mission of bringing Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.

Tebow also created “A Night to Shine,” to provide a prom night experience to special needs teenagers. “A Night to Shine” has become a global event with more than 300 satellite proms occurring in 11 countries.

In 2013, Tebow was designated a Great Floridian by Florida Governor Rick Scott in recognition of his “major contributions to the progress and welfare” of Florida. Last fall, Tebow was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.